Continuous Beams of Aluminum Alloy Tubular Cross Sections. II: Parametric Study and Design
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 141, Issue 9
Abstract
Aluminum alloys are employed in a range of structural engineering applications, supported by many international design standards, but plastic design methods are generally not permitted. In the second part of this study, an extensive numerical parametric study is conducted to assess the effect of key parameters, such as cross section slenderness, cross section aspect ratio, and moment gradient on the strength, strain hardening, and moment redistribution behavior of aluminum alloy continuous beams. The key input parameters and findings are reported herein. Based on both the experimental and parametric numerical results, the design provisions of the American, Australian/New Zealand, and European specifications as well as the traditional plastic design method, the plastic hinge method, and the continuous strength method (CSM) for indeterminate structures, the scope of which is extended in the present study, have been evaluated. The design strengths predicted by the three specifications were found to be rather conservative, while the predications of the latter three methods are more precise and consistent. The results reveal that strain hardening at the cross-sectional level and moment redistribution at the global system level have significant influence on the performance of stocky (plastic and compact sections) aluminum alloy members, which should be accounted for in design. Following reliability analysis, proposals are made for revised design provisions.
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Acknowledgments
The research work in this paper was supported by a grant from The University of Hong Kong under the seed funding program for basic research.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 141 • Issue 9 • September 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 6, 2014
Accepted: Oct 29, 2014
Published online: Dec 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 1, 2015
Published in print: Sep 1, 2015
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